6 Countertops That Look Way More Expensive Than They Actually Are
For a sleek and modern look that still feels luxe, designer Leah Hook of Gray Oak Studio notes that you can't go wrong with a classic Super White Quartz. "A solid white quartz is an affordable option that consistently reads as more expensive than it is," she adds. "I love using it to lay a neutral foundation so you can invest elsewhere—like with a bold cabinet color, interesting door style, or statement hardware—without overwhelming the space."
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Forget the Color of the Year. Ask the People Making Design.
Leah Hook of Gray Oak Studio takes a slightly different approach, seeing navy as the perfect bridge between the warm neutrals defining today’s interiors.
“Blue isn’t going anywhere,” seems to be the consensus and it has decided it no longer needs to apologize for being blue.
I Implore You — Stop Painting Every Kitchen Island a Different Color and Embrace These More Timeless Styles Instead
Leah Hook, principal designer at Gray Oak Studio, says this can be especially problematic in small kitchens. "Here, a contrasting island can feel disjointed, making the space feel even smaller," she says.
Why Are People Choosing Mismatched Dining Room Chairs? Designers Say the Trend Makes Sense
Designer Leah Hook of Gray Oak Studio has been noticing this trend overtake the industry at large, and she, too, has been opting for a more mismatched look when sourcing dining room seating. And her clients have been offering wonderful feedback on it.
5 Things Not Enough People Plan Storage In for When Renovating That Always End Up Being a Regret
"The year-round functionality of a mudroom is often overlooked for the everyday practicality, and aesthetic is prioritized over real-life necessity," argues Leah Hook, founder of Gray Oak Studio.
19 Things Interior Designers Are Begging You to Get Rid of—Before Summer Ends
Leah Hook, founder and principal designer of Gray Oak Studio, says the pillows that came with your sofa can go into the donation pile, too. “Please throw the pillows that came with your sofa away,” she begs. “You can keep the insert, but the matching pillowcase needs to be recycled or tossed. A sofa with an eclectic collection of patterned, textural pillows is instantly elevated. A sofa with matching factory pillows feels outdated.”
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7 Decor Trends That Designers Say Will Fizzle Out by the End of 2026
There’s no denying we’ve been leaning into all the color, patterns, and accessories, turning our homes into uniquely layered and personality-forward havens. But Leah Hook, founder and principal designer of Gray Oak Studio in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, urges homeowners not to go overboard.
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The 9 Most Common Gallery Wall Mistakes That Interior Designers Notice Immediately
But a gallery wall can be worth the effort. Leah Hook, founder and principal designer of Gray Oak Studio, says that a gallery wall can be the single most entertaining aspect of a person's home.
9 Outdated Living Room Trends Designers Say It's Time to Leave Behind
While traditional design will always have a place, certain decorative details now feel a bit stuffy. "Tufting here, there, and everywhere, and oversized rolled arm chairs in jewel tones are all outdated," says Leah Hook, founder and principal designer of Gray Oak Studio.
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7 Countertop Choices That Instantly Elevate (or Cheapen) Your Kitchen, According To Designers Who Have Seen It All
'Poorly placed seams are on my naughty list. Not only do they cheapen the look of a space, but they are also a functional issue because they weaken over time and can lead to bacteria build-up, cracking, and widening. It's important to consider the maximum size of a slab and the natural break of a countertop to avoid seams altogether,' explains Leah Hook, Founder and Principal Designer of Gray Oak Studio.
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The 7 Design Details That Make a Home Look Less Elevated – And How To Fix Them
Matching sets feel like an outdated furniture trend rather than a design moment. Layer shapes and styles for an elevated feel. 'In addition to a coffee table, be sure you have 1-3 side tables of varying shapes and sizes next to all the arms of the chairs and sofa,' advises Leah Hook of Gray Oak Studio. 'A console in the back of a sofa is another great addition. Not only do you serve your guests well with all the surfaces, but the more pieces, the more opportunity for varying shapes, colors, and textures. It is that variation of layers that instantly elevates a space.'
11 summer decor trends pros say will be huge in 2026
Boldly-hued backsplashes will gain momentum this summer, just when you might be inspired by bursts of color the most. As Leah Hook, founder and principal designer of Gray Oak Studio, puts it, neutral, quiet color palettes are over, and in the kitchen, this means the introduction of bold-colored backsplashes, with or without white cabinets.
"This summer, I predict we will see colorful kitchen backsplashes that range from navy blue to olive green," she says.
Designers Say the "Beachy" Aesthetic Is Out for 2026—Here's the New Look That's Replacing It
Leah Hook, founder and principal of Gray Oak Studio, says, "Pairing the deeper stain with lots of grain or an organic shape makes these furnishings feel natural and complementary to the ocean and nature itself."
Pros Reveal the Biggest Summer Decor Trends for 2026
Boldly-hued backsplashes will gain momentum this summer, just when you might be inspired by bursts of color the most. As Leah Hook, founder and principal designer of Gray Oak Studio, puts it, neutral, quiet color palettes are over, and in the kitchen, this means the introduction of bold-colored backsplashes, with or without white cabinets.
“This summer, I predict we will see colorful kitchen backsplashes that range from navy blue to olive green,” she says.
6 Non-Tacky Ways to Display Your Favorite Wedding Photos, According to Designers
Adding a wedding photo or two to a gallery wall in your home is an easy way to display these special moments without drawing too much attention to them. This is one of Forina's favorite ways to put up wedding photos, specifically if the gallery wall is in a hallway, so it really doesn't feel overdone.
It's best to have up other artwork and photos in the mix as well, according to designer Leah Hook of Gray Oak Studio, as the wedding photos become less of a focal point and more of a way to tell a larger family story.
If Your Coffee Table Looks Busy, Designers Say This Common Styling Move Could Be the Reason
You've definitely seen this on a coffee table before; now that we've pointed it out, you're going to notice it even more. Lying a string of wooden or glass contentment beads on a stack of books has become what designer Leah Hook calls "a default default coffee table vignette." She also has a good theory on why it became so popular.
"I understand the appeal because there are layers, varying shapes and colors, and something a little bit unusual," Hook says. "But, as with most trends, it's now been done so often that it feels more formulaic than interesting or elevated."
9 Summer Decor Trends That Will Define the Season
"Sunset colors that are ever so slightly muted will be popular," says Leah Hook, founder and principal designer of Gray Oak Studio. Decorate with soft pinks and oranges that add warm energy and can easily be incorporated through small, inexpensive accents such as throw pillows, serving trays, or pitchers. "Think whimsical color without the extreme vibrancy; the whimsy is a little more subtle," Hook says.
4 interior design trends that are in right now and 3 that are out, according to designers
"We're seeing more of those everyday pieces become part of the decor, whether it's kitchenware or personal items that are styled in a way that feels beautiful," Leah Hook, founder and principal designer of Gray Oak Studio, told BI.
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Business of Home
“From consultations and sourcing trips to installs and more, the day of an interior designer can be hectic. This week, we asked eight industry pros how they organize their schedules to make the most of every minute.”
4 Living Room "Rules" Designers Say You Should Break—Starting With Where to Put Your TV
“Everyone has room to be together—whether that’s for movie watching, long conversations, or longer cat naps,” says Leah Hook, founder and principal designer of Gray Oak Studio in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. “With that, the design goal is to comfortably seat everyone and have adequate surfaces to do the things they love to do.”
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What are your time management tips?
“I have three main time management strategies. First, I organize my emails by priority, [using] different folders to categorize by content and urgency. Second, I block Monday mornings for team meetings. By starting the week with a global conversation about everything that needs to be conquered by Friday, I am able to thoughtfully plan. Third, I outsource control of my calendar. This removes my emotional connection and gives an objective member of my team the ability to tweak and shift for productivity without the bias of my creative proclivities.” —Leah Hook, Gray Oak Studio, Lynnfield, Massachusetts
The beachy aesthetic is dead—designers reveal the new trends in coastal design
Leah Hook, founder and principal of Gray Oak Studio, says, “Pairing the deeper stain with lots of grain or an organic shape makes these furnishings feel natural and complementary to the ocean and nature itself.”
Designers are begging you not to install these 19 popular home features during your next renovation
“I’m constantly advising families to design for the 360 days a year, not the five. For households with young kids, a main-floor playroom or flexible family space will be used daily, while a formal dining room may only see action on a few holidays,” says Leah Hook, founder and principal designer of Gray Oak Studio. “Folding tables and a slightly kitschy holiday setup are far more practical than sacrificing everyday functionality and sanity.”
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19 Home Features You’ll Regret Installing, According to Designers
“I’m constantly advising families to design for the 360 days a year, not the five. For households with young kids, a main-floor playroom or flexible family space will be used daily, while a formal dining room may only see action on a few holidays,” says Leah Hook, founder and principal designer of Gray Oak Studio. “Folding tables and a slightly kitschy holiday setup are far more practical than sacrificing everyday functionality and sanity.”
Is Your Home Quietly KILLING Your Love Life? Here’s How Designers Say You Can Get the Spark Back
“A vase purchased on a special trip or a small object with shared history deserves a place of honor,” Hook says. “When these items are styled thoughtfully and intentionally made the focus of a vignette, they become daily reminders of connection and shared experiences.”
70 Chic Living Room Paint Colors Designers Say Won't Go out of Style
Benjamin Moore's Van Courtland Blue brings a sense of balance to the neutral furnishings in this living room by designer Leah Hook of Gray Oak Studio. "It’s a gorgeous midtone that steps well outside the neutral zone without feeling dark or moody," Hook says. "It's a definitively blue color with subtle green and gray undertones that allow it to steer clear of divisive turquoise hues or youthful chambray shades."
Why Every Home Can Benefit From a ‘Sunday Reset’ – A Designer-Approved Guide to Refreshing Your Interiors for the Week Ahead
Founder and Principal Designer of Gray Oak Studio Leah Hook, recommends switching around the artwork in your home each Sunday. 'It could be a family photo, a mini art print from a farmer's market, a piece of art from your children, a postcard from a summer vacation, or even a beautiful magazine clipping. Over time, you’ll build a folder of images that reflect both memories and mood, and it's fun to collect things throughout the year!' the designer explains.
'Something as simple as a rotating photo or print invites reflection on joyful memories or anticipation of what’s to come,' Leah continues. 'A quick glance at the 'new' art will pull you into the present, set the mood for the week ahead, and, ideally, stir a smile.'
6 affordable countertop materials that look way more expensive than they actually are
For a sleek and modern look that still feels luxe, designer Leah Hook of Gray Oak Studio notes that you can’t go wrong with a classic Super White Quartz. “A solid white quartz is an affordable option that consistently reads as more expensive than it is,” she adds. “I love using it to lay a neutral foundation so you can invest elsewhere—like with a bold cabinet color, interesting door style, or statement hardware—without overwhelming the space.”
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8 Kitchen Lighting Trends Designers Say You Need to Follow to Add Layered Warmth to Your Space in 2026
'In 2026, I’m excited to see a shift toward linear chandeliers over kitchen islands. We’ve enjoyed a long era of pendants, and it’s simply time for something fresh. I’m not referring to the elongated lanterns that had a big moment a decade ago,' says Leah Hook, founder and principal designer at Gray Oak Studio.